Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: July 27, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Isabelle Klier-Graham, Manager, Mental Health and Homelessness Division
PHONE: 407-836-3187
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract Y27-2202, Family Peer Support Services for Mental Health and Homelessness Division's Breakthrough Program
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y27-2202, Family Peer Support Services, with RISE Community Solutions, Inc., in the estimated amount of $1,029,565.81 for a one-year term.
Further request Board authorization to for the Procurement Division to renew the contract for four additional one-year terms. ([Community and Family Services Department Mental Health and Homeless Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide funding for the Breakthrough Program, which provides family peer support services, caregiver education, and support groups to improve outcomes for families with children experiencing significant emotional, behavioral, mental health, or social-emotional challenges. The contract term will be October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account numbers 0001-062-2507-8610 and 0001-062-2501-8611.
APPROVALS:
The Mental Health and Homelessness Division concurs with this recommendation.
REMARKS:
In accordance with the Code of Ordinances, Part 1, Chapter 17, Article III, Section 17-286 - Application and Exclusions, agreements between the Board and nonprofit organizations are excluded from competitive procurement requirements. RISE Community Solutions, Inc. (RISE), is the current provider of these services under Y23-151 at the same rates and has performed satisfactorily.
The County has partnered with RISE since 2014, contributing to the development of the Youth Mental Health Pilot Project, currently operated as the Breakthrough Program (Breakthrough). Breakthrough emerged from cross-sector planning led by the Youth Mental Health Management Network Consortium established in 2017 and whose work will be continued by the Orange County System of Care Commission.
RISE has been a reliable partner and contributor to youth mental health work since the inception of the Management Network and, in recent months, they’ve significantly expanded peer support operations to ensure families with younger children have timely access to community-based services, peer support groups, and parent education workshops.
Under this contract, Breakthrough is positioned to reach an additional 120 families through its full range of family support services.
Early Intervention Expansion Progress (Ages 0 through5):
Since April 2026, RISE has hired for one of two positions, the program is seeking to fill a vacancy for a Spanish speaking peer specialist to appropriately serve families in their preferred language.
RISE launched their Advisory Committee and held two meetings and launched their parent support groups, holding two sessions in English and has one scheduled in Spanish. As of July 1, 2026, they have enrolled eight new families, serving nine children; three families are being screened for intake.
Breakthrough Outcomes Progress (Ages 6 through 17) - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
• Families Served - 164
• Youth connected to therapeutic services - 130
• Percent of Youth Residing at Home at Case Closure - 91%
• Percent of Youth in School or Working at Case Closure - 94%
• Percent of Youth Diverted from Inpatient Hospitalizations - 93%
• Percent of Youth Showing a Reduction in Baker Acts - 83%
Major Program Goals. The primary goal of services is to provide hope, guidance, advocacy, and camaraderie for caregivers of children and youth in need of, or those receiving services from mental health, substance use, early intervention, and related service systems. As defined by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Services will:
1. Increase caregivers' sense of collaboration, awareness, and self-care practice.
2. Increase caregivers' ability to participate actively in their children's mental health care.
3. Increase caregivers’ engagement in support groups and education workshops.
4. Decrease caregivers' feelings of isolation and internalized blame.
5. Utilize strength-based coaching to help increase confidence and self-efficacy.
6. Ensure the utilization of youth and family voices and choices when determining early intervention, developmental support, mental health care and exploring recovery pathways.
The expanded Breakthrough program serves children and youth in Orange County who meet the following criteria:
1. Ages 0 through 5: Children identified with a developmental delay, disability, and/or neurodivergent diagnosis whose caregivers require additional support and care navigation.
2. Ages 6 through 17: Youth at risk of psychiatric hospitalization, youth recently discharged, or in need of increased support due to unmet mental health needs.
3. Residency and Caregiver Requirement: All referred children and youth must reside in Orange County and be in the care of a permanent caregiver.
Referrals/how people know about the services: in the current iteration, Breakthrough prioritizes referrals from Orange County families and community partners seeking support for children and youth.
Breakthrough primarily receive referrals from local psychiatric hospitals, including Central Florida Behavioral Health and University Behavioral Center, as well as from Orange County Public Schools, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and local Pediatric and Community Mental Health Providers.